Scrap punitive sanctions.

14th May, 2019

Following pressure from myself and Labour colleagues this government has finally scrapped its pointlessly cruel three year benefit sanctions.
Despite this however, the DWP can still impose sanctions of up to six months and this is having a dire impact on families, including children.
Taking to the dispatch box earlier today I challenged Amber Rudd and her Ministers to do the right thing and scrap these punitive sanctions once and for all.
Our welfare state is a safety net that should be there for all, not a sanctions machine for instilling fear and punishing those who have fallen upon hard times.
In my role as Shadow Employment Minister, scrapping them outright is a cause I will continue to strive for.